What we do...
We begin our day with prayer. Upon rising, we start of our morning with the Liturgy of the Hours - Morning Prayer (or Lauds), followed by praying the Chaplet of Mercy and a period of reflective or meditative prayer. This can last from 30 minutes to one hour. Breakfast follows, then a period of work. Weekdays, since we are a self supporting community, would mean that the monk would go to their regular place of employment.
Remembering that God is ever present- even at the work site, the monk (or nun) is encouraged to take short period(s) of time (during their break periods or lunch period) and reflect on God's mercy and love for humankind and to offer Him thanks. Upon returning to our home, we then pray the Liturgy of the Hours (Vespers) with another period of meditation following. Giving thanks to God, we pray before meals and take a simple supper. There is time for relaxation, between supper and Compline. Before Compline, one may pray quietly, praying a Rosary for example, then spend a few minutes examining their conscience and reviewing the events of the day and asking God's forgiveness for any shortcomings and imperfections we may have exhibited through our weak human nature. Compline is prayed prior to retiring for the night. Our days begin praising God and end praising God.
The previous paragraphs outline a typical day that integrates prayer into our daily life schedules. Carmelites are people of prayer.
Weekends afford us more time to devote to prayer and Church related ministries in addition to our daily horarium.
Our ministerial work is that of service and showing mercy and compassion towrds those whom we serve. One can make any line of work a ministry of service. One can also volunteer time at a hospital or Nursing home, visiting the sick, or reaching out in the general community by volunteering in a soup kitchen or a food pantry or at a shelter. Our Lord tells us "...it is mercy that I desire not sacrifice". One can pray incessantly, but if it is done without the heart or without love, it is in vain.
As Carmelites of Mercy, we offer intercessory prayers for those who ask us to pray for them, those in the world who need prayers, particularly the marginalized in our society and Church, and we also pray for priests, bishops and religious, for the fortitude and courage needed to carry out God's work. We also ask perseverence for them to remain faithful to their vocation in serving God's people.
All of the prayer requests are kept in a register which is laid upon the altar. Those intentions are prayed during the each Liturgy of the Hours and at every Mass.
We begin our day with prayer. Upon rising, we start of our morning with the Liturgy of the Hours - Morning Prayer (or Lauds), followed by praying the Chaplet of Mercy and a period of reflective or meditative prayer. This can last from 30 minutes to one hour. Breakfast follows, then a period of work. Weekdays, since we are a self supporting community, would mean that the monk would go to their regular place of employment.
Remembering that God is ever present- even at the work site, the monk (or nun) is encouraged to take short period(s) of time (during their break periods or lunch period) and reflect on God's mercy and love for humankind and to offer Him thanks. Upon returning to our home, we then pray the Liturgy of the Hours (Vespers) with another period of meditation following. Giving thanks to God, we pray before meals and take a simple supper. There is time for relaxation, between supper and Compline. Before Compline, one may pray quietly, praying a Rosary for example, then spend a few minutes examining their conscience and reviewing the events of the day and asking God's forgiveness for any shortcomings and imperfections we may have exhibited through our weak human nature. Compline is prayed prior to retiring for the night. Our days begin praising God and end praising God.
The previous paragraphs outline a typical day that integrates prayer into our daily life schedules. Carmelites are people of prayer.
Weekends afford us more time to devote to prayer and Church related ministries in addition to our daily horarium.
Our ministerial work is that of service and showing mercy and compassion towrds those whom we serve. One can make any line of work a ministry of service. One can also volunteer time at a hospital or Nursing home, visiting the sick, or reaching out in the general community by volunteering in a soup kitchen or a food pantry or at a shelter. Our Lord tells us "...it is mercy that I desire not sacrifice". One can pray incessantly, but if it is done without the heart or without love, it is in vain.
As Carmelites of Mercy, we offer intercessory prayers for those who ask us to pray for them, those in the world who need prayers, particularly the marginalized in our society and Church, and we also pray for priests, bishops and religious, for the fortitude and courage needed to carry out God's work. We also ask perseverence for them to remain faithful to their vocation in serving God's people.
All of the prayer requests are kept in a register which is laid upon the altar. Those intentions are prayed during the each Liturgy of the Hours and at every Mass.
We try to be the unseen - doing good and disappearing. It is God's work and all that one can accomplish can only accomplish their goals through the Lord. It is HE that can do marevelous deeds through his instruments.
We decrease the "I" and increase the "Him" in our accomplishments.
When it comes to doing God's work, the Carmelite of Mercy does not singularize themself - to God give the Glory!
The Carmelite of Mercy prays and asks to be the Lord's instrument in doing good towards others, especially in the work of saving souls. Our repeated prayer or mantra, is
"O Lord, have mercy on me a sinner".
We decrease the "I" and increase the "Him" in our accomplishments.
When it comes to doing God's work, the Carmelite of Mercy does not singularize themself - to God give the Glory!
The Carmelite of Mercy prays and asks to be the Lord's instrument in doing good towards others, especially in the work of saving souls. Our repeated prayer or mantra, is
"O Lord, have mercy on me a sinner".
